Leaders from China, Japan and the ROK reached consensus on improving political trust among the three East Asian countries during their meeting in Cebu yesterday.

First, they agreed that the leaders of the three countries should strengthen communications and maintain the existing mechanism of trilateral leaders' meeting, and that they will hold the aforesaid aperiodic meetings, should a need arise, in one of the three countries on a rotating basis.

Second, the leaders agreed to establish a mechanism of regular consultations among senior foreign affairs officials to communicate on issues of common concern and properly handle the concerns of each country.

Third, they expressed the willingness to promote cooperation on trade, investment and energy. They agreed to initiate negotiations on trilateral investment arrangement and to explore a mechanism of trilateral quality inspection.

Fourth, the leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation on trade, economy, information industry, environmental protection, development of human resources and culture. They jointly named a number of new priorities in trilateral cooperation, including finance, science and technology, public health, tourism, logistics and distribution, youth and teenager communications.

Finally, the leaders agreed to promote cultural exchanges to enhance understanding and friendship among the people of the three countries. A "Year of Cultural Exchanges among China, Japan and Republic of Korea" will be jointly held this year.

Xinhua

(China Daily 01/15/2007 page6)